Cedar Ridge Elementary honored by CDE

THE PUEBLO WEST VIEW

Published: January 29, 2014;Last modified: January 29, 2014 08:34PM

Cedar Ridge Elementary staff and students were recently honored by the Colorado Department of Education when the school received the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award for Outstanding Academic Growth Over Time.

It is the only school in all of Pueblo School District 70 or 60 to receive the award, so staff and administrators are very excited and proud.

“Very few schools got it, and so we’re pretty proud of that!” said CRE Principal Ted Shepard. “It’s validation, I feel, for all the teachers. I told them that what they’re doing is working and should continue. For our parents as well – we have so many volunteers. There is incredible support from parents and our community.”

The award is given based on TCAP test scores over several years. A school must meet the “exceeds expectations” indicator for academic growth, and must also meet or exceed expectations for students that are in different academic growth caps like ESS or ELL students, minority students and free/reduced lunch students.

“When you see just how few schools south of the Springs got this award, it really kind of shocks you. It’s very exciting for us,” Shepard said.

District 70 Assistant Superintendent Ginger Andenucio had the honor of attending a ceremony in December in Denver at the Colorado Department of Education to receive the award on behalf of CRE and District 70.

“I was thrilled to accept it for the school,” she said. “I’m thrilled for CRE students, staff and parents. It’s a lot of effort and hard work on everyone’s part. Showing growth is difficult, and to do it over time – not just one year, but a length of time – is the key. This was a first for District 70 and we’re so thrilled.”

CRE received an award certificate from the Governor and State Board of Education, and a banner about the achievement. Shepard said because it is a school-wide award, he wants to share the accomplishment with everyone.

Beginning with the preschool class, each teacher will get to display the banner in their classroom for a day and talk to the students about what it means. When everyone has shared the banner, it will be displayed in the front lobby area so all can view it.